XLT second thoughts
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 70
Likes: 7
From: North of Boston
This is a really personal decision, and you don't need to justify anything to anybody but yourself. I am perfectly satisfied with the XLT 302A along with the add-ons that came with my truck (BLIS, chrome pkg, tailgate step, spray-in bedliner), but others may still consider this a low-level trim. I don't think that makes them snobs; they just want something different and are willing to pay for it. I don't, and I'm not.
Dual climate control, to me, is silly, especially since it tries to divide the cab between driver and passenger, where there is absolutely no physical separation to maintain. I don't want auto climate control at all, because there are times when I just want the blower on high or low, and times when I want the cab temperature at 90F for a few minutes. But if you like and want dual/auto climate control, who am I to say you shouldn't?
Value-wise, I think the 302A is the sweet spot. You get a lot for the package cost. But it just depends entirely upon what features you consider necessary. For me, the power sliding rear window is mandatory. I think it should be standard equipment on every trim. Everything else in the 302A is gravy to me. But like I said, that's just me. Others, I'm sure, couldn't care less about it.
If you feel good about the equipment you ordered then take delivery and enjoy the truck, and don't second guess. This is probably not your last vehicle purchase. If you find you're missing some feature, you'll have more chances in the future to make sure you have it.
Dual climate control, to me, is silly, especially since it tries to divide the cab between driver and passenger, where there is absolutely no physical separation to maintain. I don't want auto climate control at all, because there are times when I just want the blower on high or low, and times when I want the cab temperature at 90F for a few minutes. But if you like and want dual/auto climate control, who am I to say you shouldn't?
Value-wise, I think the 302A is the sweet spot. You get a lot for the package cost. But it just depends entirely upon what features you consider necessary. For me, the power sliding rear window is mandatory. I think it should be standard equipment on every trim. Everything else in the 302A is gravy to me. But like I said, that's just me. Others, I'm sure, couldn't care less about it.
If you feel good about the equipment you ordered then take delivery and enjoy the truck, and don't second guess. This is probably not your last vehicle purchase. If you find you're missing some feature, you'll have more chances in the future to make sure you have it.
Honestly..the things that I wanted to the most were the power pedals and the power sliding rear window because of kids and the dog. My wife is also a foot shorter than I am so the pedals were important. It was not until after the fact that I started reading stuff online that sent my mind into a tailspin. Like yesterday I second guessed my decision for ordering the spray in liner from the factory cause maybe I should have gone with an aftermarket LINE-X instead cause the spray is guaranteed for life.
5 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 345
Likes: 50
From: Indianapolis
I also have a 302a XLT. My previous vehicle had single zone auto climate. I really miss that feature and I think Ford failed us by not putting a thermostat in the cabin. I got an XLT because I didn't want leather. The auto climate is the only feature it was missing for me.
Power adjustable pedals was nice... the one time I used it. Set and forget. I touch the climate ***** every time I get in the truck. I auto don't use 4x4 every day either. I think they should have put a little more attention on the features everyone uses frequently.
All that being said, when I get warm, 2 lights on the fan and the heat between 12:30 and 1:00 positions and I'm fine in the winter. In the summer, 3 lights and two clicks to the right on the temp. I can pay myself $5k to turn the ***** for the life of this thing. I also think the auto climate is a huge incentive for people like us to go from the XLT to the lariat.
Power adjustable pedals was nice... the one time I used it. Set and forget. I touch the climate ***** every time I get in the truck. I auto don't use 4x4 every day either. I think they should have put a little more attention on the features everyone uses frequently.
All that being said, when I get warm, 2 lights on the fan and the heat between 12:30 and 1:00 positions and I'm fine in the winter. In the summer, 3 lights and two clicks to the right on the temp. I can pay myself $5k to turn the ***** for the life of this thing. I also think the auto climate is a huge incentive for people like us to go from the XLT to the lariat.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 560
Likes: 131
From: Jersey
To me its easy.
If you have the 5k, and you can afford the 5k, and you're going to keep the truck? Get the 502a.
Here's the big one though; are you going to tow anything heavy? Your XLT 302a will have a few hundred pounds more cargo carrying capacity then a similar 502a Lariat. All that cush for your tush takes away from what you can haul/tow.
If you have the 5k, and you can afford the 5k, and you're going to keep the truck? Get the 502a.
Here's the big one though; are you going to tow anything heavy? Your XLT 302a will have a few hundred pounds more cargo carrying capacity then a similar 502a Lariat. All that cush for your tush takes away from what you can haul/tow.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 145
XLT vs Lariat in my mind was easy and I was coming from a '14 302a with factory leather. It would have been 6k more for a 501a, 11k more for a 502a (difference in price including all rebates).
Leather vs the heated cloth, dual climate control and LED headlights wasn't worth 6k or 11k to me. I had planned on Katzkin leather but ended up really liking the heated cloth, Anzo headlights look good and the rest of the options - BLIS/Panoramic Moonroof/Mirror LEDs, I ordered on my truck.
To each there own - but for me it just wasn't worth the extra $$$. I did the math, you'll get it back at resale, but a higher payment while you have the truck.
Leather vs the heated cloth, dual climate control and LED headlights wasn't worth 6k or 11k to me. I had planned on Katzkin leather but ended up really liking the heated cloth, Anzo headlights look good and the rest of the options - BLIS/Panoramic Moonroof/Mirror LEDs, I ordered on my truck.
To each there own - but for me it just wasn't worth the extra $$$. I did the math, you'll get it back at resale, but a higher payment while you have the truck.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 70
Likes: 7
From: North of Boston
XLT vs Lariat in my mind was easy and I was coming from a '14 302a with factory leather. It would have been 6k more for a 501a, 11k more for a 502a (difference in price including all rebates).
Leather vs the heated cloth, dual climate control and LED headlights wasn't worth 6k or 11k to me. I had planned on Katzkin leather but ended up really liking the heated cloth, Anzo headlights look good and the rest of the options - BLIS/Panoramic Moonroof/Mirror LEDs, I ordered on my truck.
To each there own - but for me it just wasn't worth the extra $$$. I did the math, you'll get it back at resale, but a higher payment while you have the truck.
Leather vs the heated cloth, dual climate control and LED headlights wasn't worth 6k or 11k to me. I had planned on Katzkin leather but ended up really liking the heated cloth, Anzo headlights look good and the rest of the options - BLIS/Panoramic Moonroof/Mirror LEDs, I ordered on my truck.
To each there own - but for me it just wasn't worth the extra $$$. I did the math, you'll get it back at resale, but a higher payment while you have the truck.
For me it comes to the 4A and dual climate. But I also dont have an extra 5K lying around for a 501a package.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 145
I've ran the numbers. Not sure how long your planning to keep it, but the price up front you'll get back in resale.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 500
From: Raleigh, NC
I am coming from a 2011 FX4 (bought used), back when it was actually a model and not just package, so it was pretty much loaded out like a Lariat. I just bought a 2018 XLT 302A Sport. Let's not kid anybody, I would love to have gotten a Lariat, and I could have afforded it no problem, but just because you can doesn't mean you should. For me, everything must be justified.
The only things that I REALLY wanted from the Lariat trucks was the LED headlights (WTF is Ford thinking with Halogens on a 50k truck?) and the dual pain sunroof. I want leather, but Katzkins is nicer than Ford leather and is cheap. LED headlights are an easy fix, yes they are expensive but I can take those off when I sell the truck and get a good chunk of the money back. Sunroof, oh well. Auto climate controls is BS its not included on a 50K vehicle, but like others have said you adapt pretty quick.
I spec'd a Lariat as I would need it to include those things I want and I am looking at a 10-12k adder (502A). That's insane. Getting a 501A Lariat is absolutely not worth it over a 302A.
The only things that I REALLY wanted from the Lariat trucks was the LED headlights (WTF is Ford thinking with Halogens on a 50k truck?) and the dual pain sunroof. I want leather, but Katzkins is nicer than Ford leather and is cheap. LED headlights are an easy fix, yes they are expensive but I can take those off when I sell the truck and get a good chunk of the money back. Sunroof, oh well. Auto climate controls is BS its not included on a 50K vehicle, but like others have said you adapt pretty quick.
I spec'd a Lariat as I would need it to include those things I want and I am looking at a 10-12k adder (502A). That's insane. Getting a 501A Lariat is absolutely not worth it over a 302A.
Member at large...
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 459
Likes: 93
302a package XLT here. Sure there are A LOT of things standard on the Lariat that I paid extra for on the XLT but the amount of money I saved far outweighed that. Sticker price almost 52k and bought for a little over 39k.
I actually would like to have the dual climate. My wifes toes are always cold and I like cold air blowing on my face...cant do that with the XLT. However, not worth it to me for the extra coin. My truck will be paid off this year and then I can start sinking some $$ into mods; meaning more expensive mods, already put in OEM LED 3rd brake light, shorter antenna, Husky's, tonneau.
DONT SECOND GUESS YOURSELF. and make sure you post pics when you get it!!!
I actually would like to have the dual climate. My wifes toes are always cold and I like cold air blowing on my face...cant do that with the XLT. However, not worth it to me for the extra coin. My truck will be paid off this year and then I can start sinking some $$ into mods; meaning more expensive mods, already put in OEM LED 3rd brake light, shorter antenna, Husky's, tonneau.
DONT SECOND GUESS YOURSELF. and make sure you post pics when you get it!!!